I Am Your Brother

by Jaimy Reynolds

  The two men spoke and set up a time and date. The very next day, the first meeting at the underground think tank was held. Monty accepted the request and brought his young hustler’s to the meeting. A party of five sitting at one table. Salad, grilled chicken, fish, sweet yams, collard greens, cornbread, and macaroni and cheese placed out on the table. Seven got to know each individual before making his offer. Between the positive vibes, good eating, and his genuine will to give back had the group of young men tuned in. When first entering the apartment you could feel their guards being up. It wasn’t long before they felt like they were at home.

  Seven has already given Monty a price to stop selling drugs, now he was working on Monty’s foot soldiers. He made them an offer to stop selling drugs. And if they were willing to do so, he was going to either help lead them to find a job, get enrolled into a trade school or college. He offered to give them his personal phone number if they ever needed some advice, guidance, someone to talk to, or to pray with. In the midst of his generosity, Seven spoke with authority and passion. By the end of the night, the young hustlers were all aboard to making the positive change.

  Although Seven had more money, he still had to play chess. He pretends to make a call to someone who was on their way with the money. He did not want anyone to believe that he kept large amounts of money inside the underground apartment. Seven allowed 15 minutes to pass, he stepped outside for a quick minute and came back inside with the offer money. Seven walks back inside, takes out the money, and places it on the table.

  SEVEN: A friend of mine blessed me with some money to put back into the community. And this is it right here. The rest is to keep this apartment running. This is how for real I am to help clean up this area. It is my pleasure to give you this money for the start of a new beginning. I’m proud of you king’s accepting my offer. Now I must say, if you receive this money, and get caught on the block hustling, my unknown guy who just dropped off this money will come see you. And he won’t be coming to talk. Do we have that understood, are we all on the same page my brothers? (The understanding was so by the group of men)

  One person with health needs would come to visit Seven’s clinical room and would tell a friend. That friend would come and eventually tell a friend. Before Seven knew it, he was playing the role of an underground doctor. He gave out natural herbs for free. He wrote out diet plans. He gave out his health packet books. He taught meditation techniques for self- healing. His patient’s were coming back with positive results. The word spread like a silent outbreak. It got to a point where he eventually had schedule appointments. He still met up with the group of young hooper’s twice a week. One meeting for a building sessions, and the other was to give the money they earned. He spoke on the importance of how they treated the woman. The importance of setting goals, staying focused, perfecting their craft, using their body as a temple and seeking knowledge. He also made the young men take out the time to write their loved ones who were locked away in prison.

  Seven would hold dinners for a few battling addictions. Squint would share his testimonies, while naturally providing laughter for the soul. The underground apartment that provided free health care, free counseling, fellowship, and a free meal was quietly becoming powerful. They would go running together. One night he would teach a class on how to write poetry. There were a few saturday’s where he and Destiny June would rent a small bus and take field trips with the youth. They visited places like the museum, a musical symphony and to ride horses. He wanted the youngster’s to experience things they were not exposed to. Destiny would speak to the young women on conducting themselves like ladies. She would teach about understanding your worth as a woman. She spoke about sex, absinence, women’s health and the risks of being on birth control.

  While things were going smooth, in the back of Seven’s mind, he knew it was only a matter of time before the underground apartment didn’t become so underground. So far there was no sign of the cop with the eye patch or the North side boys looking for him. Until that time came, he remained optimistic about properly running his operation. With that being said, it costs money to run the underground apartment and the money was being spent fast. Soon as he began to think of ways to make the money last, the feel it gave of helping someone was a feel like no other. The expression on a mother’s face when making her day. The handshake and look in the mans eyes when helping with a little extra to get over financial hump. The joy in the teens eyes when having snack money for the rest of the week. The priceless moment of young man turn from the street life and want to change for the good. The happiness it brought to know people appreciated his existence. From walking down the street and people being glad to see him, to random people sharing their testimonies after reading his health book. His favorite expression by stranger he gave to was, “you came at the right time,” which let him know that God was working through him.

  The night before the big cookout, Miss Sharon, Squint and Seven sat around the table and discussed plans. Right before their conversing was coming to an end, there was a unusual knock on the front door, knock.. knock.. knock.. knock.. knock. Once the fifth knock was heard, the three looked at each other with a look of concern. “That was five knocks, the code is four,” Squint speaks curiously. Seven puts his finger over his lips to inform the others to be quiet. He quietly walks to the front door. Right before he slowly looks into the peep hole, knock.. knock.. knock.. knock.. knock. Disappointment arose on the face of Seven when looking through the peep hole and seeing the police officer with the eye patch standing at the door. His one eye pierced back into the peep hole. Seven took a step back and shook his head from knowing he’s got a problem on his hands. Seven walks towards the table and informs Miss Sharon to stay calm and answer all his questions that they had prepared for. Seven made sure his people were well prepared for all situations that could possibly come about.

  All three looked at the front door when hearing tapping on the door. The officer began lightly tapping with the knuckle of his middle finger, knock.. knock.. knock.. knock.. knock.. An eerie energy came about when hearing the the same repetitive knocks. The cop said nothing while standing in silence. The three sat at the table wondering if the cop had left or not. Then BOOM!! He pounds the door with the side of his balled fist, causing Miss Sharon to jump. Squint puts his arm around Miss Sharon and tells her that it’s going to be okay. The officer leaves from the front door. Seven stood there in thought, he didn’t want to face the blues, but he knew right then and there that he was being watched.

  All three remained silent. Suddenly, they hear from the back door, knock.. knock.. knock.. knock.. knock.. This time Squint jumps from being frightened. Miss Sharon puts her arm around Squint and tells him that it’s going to be okay. Squint played it off as if he didn’t get scared. Seven would have laughed, but now was not the time. The officer began to whistle a tune, while waiting to see if someone was going to open the door. Then once again, knock.. knock.. knock.. knock.. knock.. was the sound from the side window. The officer carried on, whistling until his next stop, knock.. knock.. knock.. knock.. knock.. now coming from the living room window. They watched the police officer’s shadow from the outside. The officer began to whistle again, while slowly walking back to the front door. Knock.. knock.. knock.. knock. knock.. He finally speaks, “we need to talk,” loud enough to be heard. While walking away from the door, the officer begins to sing, “oh Destiny, where art thou Destiny, ohh Destiny, where art thou Destiny,” in a Frank Sinatra tone of voice. His voice slowly went down the further he walked away. Seven’s fearless demeanor weakened when hearing Destiny’s name. He immediately called her and told her to leave.

  Miss Sharon let Seven use her car. He would stay on the phone with Destiny until she was by his side. Seven knew the originally planned date to hand over the operation would have to come sooner. He was not aware of what the officer knew, or what he was after. The only thing that mattered right now was seeing Destiny. Once the two met at the half way point, she co
uld feel something was wrong.

  DESTINY: What happen?

  SEVEN: The same police officer I ran into at the emergency room came to the apartment tonight. I didn’t open the door. He said we needed to talk, then he mentioned your name as if he was coming to look for you.

  DESTINY: The same officer we dodged, the one who was standing outside near your apartment?

  SEVEN: Yes, the one with the eye patch. But this time he went to the underground apartment.

  DESTINY: I wonder if they have been investigating us. I mean, King was a ghost up until he left us, and you are making a difference in the neighborhood. Seven let’s leave. Let’s leave right now. Let’s get out of here. Your work is done here. I’ve never been without my brother King like this and I don’t know what I will do if I lose you too.

  SEVEN: Okay. I’m with it.

  DESTINY: I mean right now Seven.

  SEVEN: It pains to me to say this.. but D, I really need to be a part of this event in the afternoon. I need to do this for my own peace the rest of the way. I made a promise and must keep it.

  DESTINY: (Swallowed her pride and tried to be understanding) I don’t have a good feeling but I trust you. I always have since the day you saved me. (Comes into the arms of Seven)

  SEVEN: Let’s go check into a room for the night. Don’t worry about anything. I will go get things setup and visit for a minute. I won’t stay the whole time. Then we can leave and go be free. Were you want to go? I don’t even have to know. It can be in the worst part of the world and that would be fine with me. As long as I am with you, I’m good.

  DESTINY: I already have the location setup.

  SEVEN: Oh you do.

  DESTINY: Yes, it’s perfect for just me and you. I want it to be a surprise. I know you’ll love it.

  The two leave and check into a room for the night. Seven massaged Destiny to sleep while he wondered, thought and prayed. He understood the chance he was taking by being at the family cookout but he was all in. Despite the pressure, he moved fearlessly as King would. One more task before moving away with the woman who stayed on his mind from the moment he laid eyes on her. He was fascinated how the virgin moved through life. She was the movie, a walking piece of art. Destiny June, away from the many disguises, all there by his side.

  Seven awoke at sun rise. He leaves the queen in her dreams and met the workers to help set up the cookout event. He paid to have the caterer’s serve the food. He and the workers set up the bounce house, tables, and games for the kids. He brought out his DJ equipment from his one bed room apartment and set it up. The referee crew to officiate the basketball tournament were present. The shot clock and scoreboard were set up and ready for the games to begin. Besides the people who were helping set up the event, the people were yet to arrive, just as planned.

  Right when 12 o’clock hit, the people came out of their apartments and cars began to pull up at once. Familiar faces of the neighborhood arrived one after another. Mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousin, grandmothers, grandfathers and friends began to fill the whole open area by the basketball court. You could feel a positive vibe in the air. The looks on the peoples face were priceless. Seven had to hold in his tears throughout the cookout, despite knowing the cop with the eye patch could show up at any time. He wished King could have witnessed the smile on Squints face as he ran the carnival booths. Seeing the kids run around and playing. The adults sat in lawn chairs and enjoyed watching the celebration. The slamming of dominoes and friendly trash talking from the domino tournament taking place. The young group of hustlers who stopped selling were there enjoying themselves. Some people danced to the music that Seven DJ’d. The young hooper’s were all balling on the basketball court while many people watched them do there thing. There was enough food to go around. Smiles upon smiles, laughter, good vibes, good music, and no drama. Seven dreamed of wanting to DJ events and never have until this very moment.

  One by one, a great deal of the crowd would walk up to Seven and show their love and appreciation. It was the first time seeing Seven in person for most people. They only heard of the mystery man by word of mouth. He gained the respect of famous drug dealers from the neighborhood, but only he was dealing love, hope, and change. He was spreading love while heightening the awareness of the people. People were just wanting to shake his hand, hug him, and take pictures with him. The elders showed their appreciation to the young Seven who played good songs one after another. Joy came over him when seeing Diego and his wife together. They approached him and both hugged him. Diego was smiling from ear to ear when his wife gave Seven a thank you card. When Seven opened the card, there was a picture inside of a pregnancy test with two lines, which meant she was finally going to have her first baby. All three hugged each other in the priceless moment.

  Seven kept checking the time to know when to leave to meet Destiny at the bus stop. He had a little time left to stay and visit. He never was one to speak in front of a crowd, but it was heavy on his heart to do so. He didn’t want to leave town without giving a proper exit. There was a bittersweet feel in doing so, but he got out of his comfort zone and grabbed the microphone from his DJ set. He took a step up on the bench seat to where the crowd could see him.

  SEVEN: Good day my brothers and sisters. (The crowd stopped what they were doing and gave seven their undivided attention) I have always been too nervous to talk in front of a crowd, but I see you all as my family, so I don’t feel that way right now. I’m not going to be long, I just want to tell you something (long pause while gathering his thoughts). I would like for you all to do something for me. Turn to the left and turn to the right. You see those people to your left and right? We have to start seeing them as your family. You don’t have to be friends or hang out, but what I’m saying is, we have to adopt the mindset that we are family, and we are all in this thing together. Meaning, we have to get back to the saying, it takes a village to raise a home. If you look out and see the next man as your brother, you will be less prone to hate on them, to lie, steal, cheat, and destroy them. We have to look at that kid who isn’t yours and see that kid as being connected to you. Young men, don’t be deceived by how the entertainment world portrays our sisters. We have to look at our women as being queens. None of us would be here without the woman. She is the carrier of us, she is connected to the earth and universe. She needs to be in a healthy state of mind and stress free when carrying our seeds. Anything less than wanting to treat women with respect, love, and protect her even if she isn’t your wife, is like going against the laws of nature, and it’s almost like having a sick mentality. A mind deceived by the world.

  In the book of Romans 12:2 “it says, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Young ladies. Don’t spend the same amount of time in the mirror as you do with the time you put in the advancement of your mind. You are beautiful the way God made you. Discover who you are as a woman and understand your worth here on earth. Do not settle for anything. Respect your brother. Start to believe in the man. Be each other’s rock. Men lift the woman up, and woman lift the man up. And together we can create a better frequency between the two. Form a contagious energy that spreads and can only produce goodness.

  Elders, you all have been there and done it all. You all have keys that we younger generation need. Feed us the game, help prepare the generation below. We all have to feed and get the minds of our children right, for they are the future. We need to straighten up when we are around kids because they are like sponges. From watching our actions and listening to the words we speak. We must protect them from the evil ways of the world. Learn about spiritual warfare, that is what we are all up against whether we know or not. Well, now is the time. Now is the time to gain knowledge and wisdom if you lack it, for in the bible it reads in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.” A lot of us are battling illnesses, stress, worry, and fear that stems from a lack of kn
owledge. It’s time to start monitoring our diet better and know what we are putting in our body.

  (In the middle of speaking to the crowd of people, Seven sees the big husky north side guy towards the back who began making his way towards the front. Seven pauses for a moment and looks at Monty who was standing near Seven. Monty immediately felt that Seven had seen something in the crowd that caused him to pause. Monty looks into the crowd from where he was standing. Seven would hear voices in the crowd shout, “speak on it my brother, yes that’s what I’m talking about, and preach!)

  SEVEN: (Speeds up his speech with passion) Protect your mind. That is what the enemy is after. That is where it all starts. Believe in yourself. Everyone look at your fingertips right now. You see that fingerprint of yours? You are the only person in the whole wide world who has that fingerprint. That is your power. You are here for a reason. You are one of a kind family, use it to your advantage. Don’t ever try to be like somebody else. I’m not preaching, nor teaching, I just love you all. I wish you all a prosperous and healthy life. I am your brother.

  Seven steps down from the bench. he whole crowd clapped and cheered. The big north side guy weaved through the crowd getting closer to Seven. Seven stepped in towards Squint, “I will be in contact with you, everything that you see of mine is now yours my brother, I have to leave now, “I’m proud of you, and hugged Squint. Seven tried to walk away but the crowd closed closer to him. Seven nervously shook hands while lifting his head to see where the north side guy was approaching from. Right when the big guy muscled his way out from the crowd within arm’s reach, is when the two of Monty’s boys jumped right in front of him. Before the north side guy knew it, he was surrounded by a few more goons who were ready for problems.